A FOREIGN passenger was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on February 13 after authorities discovered an estimated ₱55.3 million worth of shabu concealed inside Bibles in his luggage.
According to the Bureau of Customs–NAIA, the arrested individual is a German national who arrived on a connecting flight from Addis Ababa. He was intercepted after X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel noticed a suspicious image in his baggage during routine screening.
The alert prompted Customs personnel to conduct a 100 percent physical inspection, which led to the discovery of white crystals suspected to be shabu hidden in a secret compartment within the suitcase lining and further concealed inside two Bibles that had been modified to serve as containers. The drugs were reportedly wrapped in thick plastic and duct tape.
The seized illegal drugs weighed approximately 8,145 grams and had an estimated value of ₱55,386,000. A K9 sweep and field testing confirmed that the substance was Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
The operation was led by a joint force from BOC-NAIA, the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The suspect and confiscated evidence were immediately turned over to the PDEA for further investigation and the filing of charges related to violations of Republic Act 9165 and Republic Act 10863.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno asserted that the seizure is proof of the agency’s continued vigilance and strict enforcement at all ports in the country.
